CityUHK faculty members involved in this institutional initiative will play pivotal roles in the success of the FIRST Programme. They are: (First row, from left) Prof. Anderson Shum, Prof. Julie Li, Prof. Edwin Tso, Prof. Kenneth Leung and Prof. Charles Xu. (Second row, from left) Prof. Zhiguo Yuan, Prof. Angus Yip, Prof. Alex Jen, Prof. Carol Lin, Prof. Yan Ning (Distinguished Visiting Professor) and Prof. Harm-Anton Klok (Distinguished Visiting Professor).

A prestigious new programme titled "Fostering Innovation for Resilience and Sustainable Transformation" (FIRST), spearheaded by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has received official endorsement from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This global initiative is designed to drive innovation in sustainability, promote measurable progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and facilitate inclusive global collaboration under the UN International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033) (UN Science Decade).

Among numerous submissions worldwide, only 30 proposals were endorsed in the initial round. The announcement was made at the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) on 7 May 2025, signifying a significant achievement for CityUHK. This recognition reaffirms the university’s dedication to advancing sustainability through innovative solutions and meaningful global partnerships.

Mr. Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR said “With the endorsement of the UNESCO, the FIRST Programme sets a powerful example of how collaboration and innovation can create a more sustainable future for all. I am pleased to support this initiative and look forward to seeing its positive impact on our community and beyond.”

Prof. Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, said, “I am delighted that CityUHK will lead this crucial initiative to address sustainability challenges by developing affordable innovations in collaboration with our global partners. The Programme reflects CityUHK’s commitment to Innovating into the Future and offering tangible solutions to global challenges.”

The world faces unprecedented challenges in climate change, biodiversity loss, clean energy transition, and water management. To address these issues, CityUHK has been entrusted to lead the FIRST Programme as part of the UN Science Decade. FIRST will develop affordable technologies in collaboration with global partners to enhance sustainability and improve quality of life, particularly in underserved regions. This initiative is crucial for combating rising temperatures, biodiversity threats, energy disparities, and water scarcity, ensuring a sustainable future for our planet.

Prof. Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice President (Research) at CityUHK and a member of the steering committee for the FIRST Programme, said: “As a researcher, I’m inspired to contribute CityUHK’s innovative research to tackle climate change and resource scarcity. Through the UN platform, our impactful, scalable solutions will empower communities worldwide, fostering a sustainable and resilient future.”

Prof. Edwin Tso Chi-yan, the Programme Director of the FIRST Programme and Associate Dean of Internationalization and Outreach at the School of Energy and Environment (SEE), CityUHK said “We will kick off the first phase of the FIRST Programme in June 2025, targeting pilot regions with hot climates and limited access to reliable electricity.” “This phase will focus on four core innovations, each designed to provide scalable, low-cost solutions that can be rapidly adopted in low-income areas. These innovations are aligned with key SDGs, including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Climate Action (SDG 13). We are very proud to be part of this global initiative and make significant contributions to the sustainability of Planet Earth,” Prof. Tso added.

The first phase of the Programme will focus on developing innovative technologies such as passive radiative cooling coatings using local waste materials for lowering temperatures of buildings, affordable printable solar films for generating electricity in rural areas, the conversion of waste biomass to energy for the circular economy, and a human-powered sanitation system for generating potable water.

By delivering localised, affordable, and scalable solutions, the FIRST Programme will drive sustainable development through capacity building, job creation, and partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. A robust emphasis will be placed on long-term sustainability, meaningful community engagement, and measurable impacts. Moreover, our undergraduates and postgraduates will have opportunities to actively contribute to this FIRST Programme via research and innovation for affordable solutions, as well as through community services initiatives for implementing the innovations around the world.

The FIRST Programme brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of international experts and institutions:

• Shimelis Admassie, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia;
• Ramon Fernando Colmenares-Quintero, BERSTIC – Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture Network, Colombia;
• Harm-Anton Klok, école Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland; and
• Damien Bastone, University of Queensland, Australia.

The CityUHK faculty members involved in this institutional initiative will play pivotal roles in the success of the FIRST Programme. They are: Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research), Professor Julie Li Juan, Associate Vice-President (Mainland Strategy), Professor Edwin Tso Chi-yan (Associate Dean, School of Energy and Environment, CityUHK & FIRST Programme Director), Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee (Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, and Chair Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry), Professor Alex Jen Kwanyue (Chair Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science), Professor Yuan Zhiguo (Global STEM Professor and Chair Professor of Urban Water Management), Professor Charles Xu Chunbao (Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery), Professor Angus Yip Hin-lap (Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy), Professor Carol Lin Sze-ki (Professor, School of Energy and Environment), and Professor Yan Ning (Distinguished Visiting Professors at CityUHK).

The FIRST Programme began with partners from 16 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom and endorsements from over 20 cities worldwide, highlighting the Programme’s global relevance and growing momentum.

By co-developing transformative, scalable, and cost-effective technologies with international partners, the FIRST Programme aims to strengthen environmental sustainability, promote social equity, and improve quality of life, particularly in underserved communities disproportionately affected by global threats such as climate change, contaminated water, poor sanitation, and the energy crisis.

Congratulations to Prof. Edwin Tso and our dedicated CityUHK SEE faculty members on achieving this remarkable milestone. For more information about the FIRST Programme, please visit the official website: http://un-first.cityu.edu.hk.